[Welland Tribune, 27 May 1898]
The storm which passed here on the morning of the 19th was wide spread, extending not only over Western Canada but throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. It is seldom that we are visited with a storm of such severity; the incessant thunder and lightning continuing for over an hour, accompanied by a heavy rain and some hail. In Wisconsin it was particularly severe, many lives being lost and much property destroyed.
In Ingersoll the Baptist church was struck and consumed. From various sections of the province we learn that barns and other buildings have been destroyed, and their contents consumed. At Watford the hail is reported to have been as large as bantam eggs, which broke a great deal of glass and did considerable damage to fruit trees. In London a bolt entered the house of J.B. Allenby killing him instantly as he lay in bed. The room was set on fire but was extinguished before much damage was done.
At Hamilton during the storm the old building of the Hamilton Spectator and adjoining buildings burned down, but there is a difference of opinion whether this was or was not the result of lightning.
[Welland Tribune, 9 December 1898]
Warden Cronmiller marked his retirement from the chief legislative position in the county by a supper to the county council and county officials, at the Mansion house, on Wednesday evening. All the county councillors were present except Mr. Pew, and in addition there were Sheriff Smith, I.P. Willson, clerk county court, &c., County Clerk Cooper, Treasurer Hobson, Solicitor Raymond, ex-councillor S.J. Sidey, George Cronmiller of Welland, Thomas White of Port Colborne and J.J. Sidey and T.H. Sears, representing the Welland press. The spread was said to be the finest ever laid in the town, embracing substantials and delicacies in profusion, and reflecting the utmost credit on mine host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Wall.
Warden Cronmiller presided, with ex Warden Morris in the vice chair. Many excellent and interesting speeches were made, and we regret that time and space enables us to give little more than the toast list.
The first toast in every loyal assembly- “The Queen, God bless her,” was given from the chair and responded to by “God Save the Queen.”
The Warden then welcomed his guests with a clever and pleasing personal reference to each.
“The Army and Navy,” was received with “Britannia,” led by Mr. Hobson, and acknowledgments made.
Col. Raymond, who took occasion to eulogize Major-General Hutton, the new commander of the Canadian forces. He said General Hutton was energetically backed by the Government-he believed under inspiration from the Home Government-and as a result he predicted a great change for the better in the Canadian militia during the next five years. The speaker thoroughly endorsed the maxim that the best way to maintain peace was to be prepared for war, and closed by thanking the county council for their liberal grants to the local volunteer force whenever solicited. (Applause.)
Maj. Cruikshank said we are all proud to be a part of the British Empire, and particularly proud of the British army and its noble deeds. Dargai and Khartoum were recent instances of unparalleled achievements by the British arms. It was the only army recruited by voluntary enlistment, except that of the United States. Other armies were merely nations in arms. The British army was a small army and constantly employed, therefore up to the highest state of efficiency. It was the vanguard of civilization. Peace, law and order followed the British flag. As for the British navy, it did police duty on the seas the world over, and was so overwhelmingly strong that its strength was never tested. He hoped the people of Canada would have the patriotism and good sense to join and aid Maj. Hutton and the government in making the volunteer force of Canada our national army in fact, and he hoped more of our citizens would visit the yearly camp at Niagara and see for themselves the good work being done. (Cheers)
Vice Chairman Morris gave the toast of the evening, “The Warden.” In doing so he referred to the fact of the county council of this year having broken the record by transacting the business in sessions aggregating in all only eight days, attributing this unparalleled shewing as largely due to the warden’s faithful and energetic discharge of his duties.
The toast was drunk with vim, and “For he’s a jolly good fellow.”
Warden Cronmiller made a most suitable and practical address in reply. He thanked the assembly for the honor done him, declaimed undo praise, and complimented the council on having worked faithfully and as one man in the public interest. As for himself, he had done his duty only. If he had failed in any instance the omission was not wilful neglect. He attributed the phenomenal success attending this year’s council as largely due to the banishment of partyism from the council, which had followed the new order of things. He credited Ex-Warden Morris with having started the ball of economy rolling. He was proud to be warden of a council that had made such a record. He was proud of the County of Welland-the noblest county in Canada. Referring to county matters, he said the county was now almost free of debt, and would be wholly so in a few weeks, and that the Industrial Home net expenditure had been reduced to $2700, less than that previously paid by the county for the support of the insane destitute alone, whilst the deserving poor of the county were provided with a home in which to pass their old age in comfort. In closing, the warden stated his intention of retiring from municipal life at the close of the present term, but he hoped all the councillors’ would be re-elected if offering, as they deserved well of the electors. (Cheers)
“The County Council,” proposed by G.L. Hobson in a neat speech, drew responses from several councillors. Mr. Morden gave an excellent, practical address, dealing particularly with the tramp question. He thought the professional tramp should be squelched. H.N. Willson spoke on the county home. R. Moore advocated drilling of school boys as a means of instilling patriotism into them and preventing consumption and all narrow chest diseased, as well as thus building up a bulwark for the national defence, Mr. Steele paid a feeling tribute to late County Councillor Wm. Brown of Wainfleet. Mr. Upper announced himself as the unvarying friend of two classes-the farmers and the volunteers. Mr. Morris said he represented the oldest industry on record, fruit raising, first mentioned in the history of Adam and Eve and the apple tree.
Mr. Morris gave “The County Officials,” responded to by I.P. Willson, Sheriff Smith, Clerk Cooper, Treasurer Hobson and Jailor Coulson, all of whom spoke of the most cordial relations existing between the county council and the officials.
Mr Morden gave “The Civil Service,” coupled with the name of S.J. Sidey, who appropriately responded, joining with all in congregating the warden on his well-merited honors, and hoping that his farewell to municipal life might not be final.
“The Press,” by Mr. Morden, responded to by J.J. Sidey and T.H. Sears.
Mr. Wilson gave the sentiment, the pioneer county councillors of the county, which was duly honored.
Col. Raymond gave “Our Manufacturing and Commercial Interests,” responded to by George Cronmiller and Thos. White.
Mr. Cruishank gave “Our Absent Member,” Mr. J. Harrison Pew, “For he’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Mr. C. said he was not only this but a fair, square, upright, honorable man, and a wise and broad-minded councillor.
“Our host and hostess,” closed the list.
The addresses during the latter part of the evening were of a classical and sentimental nature to which it is impossible to do justice in an abbreviated form, therefore we content ourself by enumerating the list only. At the usual hour the happy function was brought to a close by the time-honored performance of “Auld Lang Syne,” and all retired with a most pleasant never-to-be forgotten addition to memory’s repertoire.
[People’s Press, 27 December 1898]
IMPERIAL penny postage came into effect on Sunday, and the first letter the TRIBUNE got on Monday was one from a Canadian postoffice bearing the new two-cent stamp and the inscription “insufficiently paid- two cents due.” There is a widespread misapprehension with respect to the postal change. The reduction is to England and other parts of the British Empire only. So far as Canada is concerned, there is no change in the postage rate. It still takes three cents to carry a letter between local offices.
[Welland Tribune, 14 January 1898]
In accordance with a largely signed requisition, Mayor Hooker has called a public meeting of the ratepayers of the town of Welland, “to consider the advisability of taking active steps to secure water power from the canal for manufacturing purposes, and to adopt such measures as may be deemed advisable to advertise the advantages of the town for manufacturing purposes, and to take any action that may advance the interests of the town.” The meeting will be held in the town hall on Tuesday evening next, at 8 o’clock. The object of the meeting is good and its scope wide, and everyone interested in the town should turn out and see if something cannot be done to arouse our town from its somewhat lethargic condition, industrially speaking. Next Tuesday evening.
[Welland Tribune, 7 June 1898]
Main street was blocked quarter of an hour on Friday by the conveyances of farmers taking home farm machinery sold by W.G. Somerville. Note-Under a Grit. Government too.
Event: 3 June 1898
[Welland Tribune, 10 June 1898]
Spring Delivery of their Celebrated Harvesting Machinery
The well-known Massey-Harris company are the largest makers of farm machinery under the British flag, and their delivery of implements at Welland last Friday was the largest in the county, comprising three full carloads. The sales were made by the popular local representative of the Massey-Harris firm. W.G. Somerville and the day was also a notable one to him as being the 19th anniversary of his advent in the machine business here.
The delivery comprised 75 orders, the machine filling three cars. A number of the purchasers could not come, but upward of sixty teams assembled at the G.T.R. station in the forenoon and took on their freight of machines and proceeded to North Main street, front of Mr. Somerville’s ware rooms where they camped, and at noon partook of the hospitality of the Massey-Harris Co. in the shape of a good substantial dinner at the Welland House, got up in mine host Angle’s best form.
After dinner the procession reformed and re-crossed the canal bridge, went eastward on Division street and doubled back on main street, the head of the parade stopping at the canal, and the teams forming three abreast on the street, when a fine photograph of them was taken by Mr. Morden. The scene was a splendid one, creditable alike to the enterprise of the Massey-Harris Co., and their managers and agents, and to the yeomen of our county, and the picture would make a filling one for an immigration pamphlet, illustrative of the facts that Canada manufactures the best agricultural machinery in the world today, as well as has the widest and richest fields to employ it upon.
The delivery was under the management of James Henning, general agent Massey-Harris Co. with Mr. Herbert Whittaker of Toronto, J.W. Harris of Brantford, all connected with the M.H. business and Agents Somerville and James Swayze of St. Catharines, all present and assisting.
Mr. Somerville’s continued success after a business career here of 19 years is proof of the fact that his courtesy and straightforward manner of doing business has won the confidence and goodwill of the community in an exceptionally high manner, and that he deals only in wares that will stand the tests of time and use.
Event: 3 June 1898
O.H. Garner’s insurance on stock has been adjusted at $… As about one-half the goods were got out before the water got into the store, this is considered a satisfactory settlement. The insurance valuators have not adjusted the loss on the building. If the walls are in good condition it is probable that the building will be rebuilt three storeys, but on not so pretentious a scale as before. The hall floor, which was sound after the fire, was broken through by the fall of the chimney, which blew down Saturday afternoon. Owing to the great height of the chimney extensive scaffolding had to be put up to get it down, and although work was started on the scaffold Thursday, it had to be abandoned during the high winds on Friday and Saturday on account of the danger to workmen.
A Crash-At five minutes to four o’clock on Saturday afternoon, the chimney on the west wall of the burned Orient Hall block fell inward with a terrific crash upon the second floor, the third floor having been burned out. The chimney had been swaying in the wind all day and its fall was not unexpected; in fact quite a few persons of leisure kept watching to see it go over. It crashed through the floor, breaking several of the heavy joints that supported the floor of the auditorium; and bulging the ceiling several feet below. The chimney on the east wall wobbles also badly when the wind blows, and should be taken down or secured. Were it to fall, it might do serious damage and possibly cause loss of life. The town authorities neglected their plain duty that they did not cause both these chimneys to be taken down immediately after the fire.
Welland Tribune
24 June 1898
*Note: Due to the fire, there was no paper printed 22-23 June 1898
MR. GARNER’S THANKS
To the Editor of the Tribune:
DEAR SIR,- May I request enough of your space to thank the citizens of Welland for their untiring efforts to prevent the loss of property at Wednesday’s fire and for their subsequent kindness. To the members of the fire brigade I owe a particular debt for their work and sacrifice-a debt more easily felt that paid. It is a source of great gratification to me that in spite of the many risks that were run and dangers incurred no one’s goodheartedness brought him serious injury. My formal expression of thanks must seem cold and inadequate; but my gratitude is none the less deep and genuine. While my financial loss will, of course, prove very severe, the uniform kindness and sympathy shown will long remain a very pleasant memory.
Sincerely yours,
O.H. Garner
Welland Tribune
24 June 1898
OPERA HALL BLOCK TO BE REBUILT-
The Insurance upon Orient hall block has been adjusted, the whole amount of policy, $6,000, being allowed, which will not replace the building as it was before. The building, however, will be rebuilt three stories, the interior and accommodations substantially as before, but probably not so expensive a top front. Plans are being designed for the rebuilding, which will go on at once. In the meantime, Mr. Garner is selling off his stock at fire sale price, as see announcement in advertising column.
Welland Tribune
28 June 1898
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